of cincinnati



E. GNOETH.

THONG SEWING MACHINE. APPLICATION men FEB. 11. 1913.

Patented Aug. 1, 1916.

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APPLICATION FILED FEB. I7. 1913.

Patented Aug. 1, 1916.

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EMIL GNOETI-I, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE INTERNATIONAL HARNESS MACHINERY COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION.

THONG-SEWING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented An 1, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Earn. GNOETI-I, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thong-Sewing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in thong-sewing machines, and primarily to the thong-drawing mechanism for engaging the thong after it has been fed through the goods by the needle for completing a stitch and positioning the thong for a. second stitch, and to the thong loop receiver, into which the thongis deposited by the drawing mechanism.

An object of my invention is to provide improved tension mechanism for the thongdrawing mechanism wherein a variable resistance in gradual increasing capacity is automatically applied, in a diametric plane toward the axis of the thong engaging spiders having a multiple number of arms each successively brought into commission to provide a uniformity of tension to the various arms, and produces all stitches with the same or desired degree of ta-utness.

In each cycle of the drawing mechanism an arm of the spider engages the thong between the needle and work supporting table, after the needle has been initially drawn through the goods, and in a loop, depositing it into a thong receiver to position the thong for a second stitch operation. Duplicate mechanism being disposed above and below the work supporting table for making a single stitch. The result is produced by providing a pair of pawl levers diametri cally engaging a ratchet having teeth in diametric planes, with a spring between the free ends of the pawl levers, exerting an equalized pressure against both levers.

Another object of my invention is to provide a thong-sewingmachine with a circumferential channel thong receiver, upon each side of the work supporting table, having a circumferential surface to receive the runs of the thong loop in relative non-engaging planes, to avoid frictional rubbing resistance or contact between the runs. This is accomplished by dividing the receiving surface of the channel circumferentially into;

a multiple number of parallel incline planes,

the angle of each extended transverse to the traverse of the thong runs. 1

plurality of circumferential surfaces, with its traction area reduced to a minimum, to produce an anti-friction track for the thong runs qualifying to relieve thedrawiug mechanism of the resistance incident to a rubbing action of the runs.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a thong-sewing machine with a thong loop channel receiver having a delivery surface recessed at intervals to receive the thong-loop or one of its runs in an undulat mg plane toprevent reactionary movement of the thong loop when released from-the thong drawing mechanism. i

Another object of my invention is to provide a thong receiving conduit or channel having a lateral opening into which the arms of the thong-d "awing mechanism project with a closure plate moving with the thong-drawing mechanism to seal said conduit opening during a thong-drawing operation. Figure 1 is a front elevation of the upper portion of the sewing machine. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the mouth-of the throng-receivers mounted above the table oft-he machine, a duplicate thereof being mounted below the table. Fig. 3 is anenlarged detailed side mutilatedelevation of one of the thong conduits or channels, with thethong drawing mechanism in a thongpulling position, and partly in section for more clearly illustrating the details of construction. Fig. iis an end elevation thereof. Fig. 5 is a section on line 11 y, Fig 3.. Fig. 6' is a section on line at, :0, Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a section on line 2, 2, Fig. Fig. 8 is a section on line 8, s, Fig. 3. I i

The transmission mechanism for rotating the thong drawing mechanism is not shown herein, the same being well-known in the type of machine to which my improvement is applied nor is detailed illustration of the needle and awl mechanism disclosed herein,

for the reason'that the same is substantially as that disclosed in a prior patent issued to me No. 978,017, for improvementin thong stitch sewing machine, dated December 6th,

1910, and in the prior patentreferred to in the patent aforesaid, reference beinghadv alternately pushed through the goods by a pair of opposing needle bars, simultaneously reciprocated in relative opposing directions. The needle being transferred from one needle bar to the otherin its movement, preferably in a vertical plane through the goods, drawing with it a thong threaded through the medial portion of the. needle. An awl precedes the needle to perforate the goods and advance it in step movements, alining the perforations with the needle to relieve the needle of the strains that would be re quired of it in attempting to force the same throughthe goods. 'Each stitching operation requires two .reciprocations .for each needle bar, in which one needle bar pushes the needle partially through, the goods,

whence it is gripped by the opposite needle bar, and its advance through the goods continued. The movements of the needle are limited to a distance suflicient to initially advance the thong through the goods, after which the thong is engaged by drawing mechanism, on either side of the table vsupporting the goods to continue the pull of the thong through the goods and form stitches of proper and uniform degree of tautness.v

The drawing mechanism is arranged in duplicate form, above and below the table, and operating upon the thong at alternate intervals depending upon the direction of needle movement; that is, when the thong is ad-:

vanced through the goods upwardly, the drawing mechanism above the table operates thereon, while the lower thong drawing mechanism operates subsequently to the reverse movements of the needle.

1 represents the frame of the machine, which contains the transmission mechanism for reciprocating the upper needle bar 2 and the lower needle bar 3 in relative timed operation, and .for rotating the thong-drawing arms 4, 5, it being understood and wellknown in the art that these arms have a diflerential velocity moving quickly during one part of the revolution, that of advancingor. pullingthe thong through the goods,

and slowly during the remaining portion of the revolution to complete a stitch before the needle bars approach-each other for a second stitch. 1 r The upper and lower needle bars are th duplicates of each other, as well as the needle-gripping means; this duplication of parts also extends to the thong drawing mechanismfor like operations take place -above and below the table 03 in the particular kind of stitch formed by the machine. Each needle bar is connected to a. reciprocatingarm, which may be substantially as that illustrated and described in the patent to L. L. Miller, No. 515,713, granted February 27, 1894.

a represents an arm of the reciprocating mechanism pivotally and adjustably connected to the needle-bar 2, and 6 represents a duplicate arm to that of arm a adjustably and pivotally connected to the lower needlebar 3. These arms cooperating in proper timed intervals for reciprocating the needle bars simultaneously in relative opposing directions to force and. draw the needle 0 through the goods. Thus as the needle-bar 2 moves downwardly. toward the table d, V

the needle-bar 3 will simultaneously advance upwardly toward the table to receive the free end of the needle. The needle has a catch point at each end, adapted to respectively interlock with a catch or pawl pro jecting into a, needle-receiving orifice in the needle-bars. As the needle is gripped by .one needle-bar, it is released from the opmovement through the goods continued until a clearposing needle-bar, and its ance is effected betweenthe point of the neeing mechanism to engage the thong and advance in a circular path, for continuing the drawing action of the thong through the goods until the stitch loop has been formed.

dle and the table to permit the thongdraw-s The thong-drawing mechanism giving the desired, tautness to the stitch and the mechanism for accomplishing such result will. hereinafter be more fully described. A repetition of such operation is followed for each stitch, forming a single stitch, in which theloop of the stitch overlapsthe faces of the goods alternately at spaced intervals.

Thedegree of-tautness of each stitch is controlled by tension-mechanism unitarily forming a part of the thong-drawing mechanism, and which comprises the following instrumentalities: In the description thereof reference will only be made to the upper thong-drawing instrumentalities, the lower being substantially the duplicate. The arm 4 is fixed to the shaft 6 of the propelling mechanism for continuously rotating the arm in a dilferential velocity, accelerated during a portion of the revolution, the function of which is well-known in the art and a .common practicein this type of machines.

The free end of thearm 4 is provided with a journal-bearing receiving the shaft 8 of the thong pulling and releasing spider 9. This spider is provided with a series of arms 10, four in number, with their thong-engag,

marily taking place after'the thonghas been completely drawn through the goods and the stitch pulled to the desired degree of tautness, the movement releasing the thong engagement at the limit of a stitch operation.

Owing to the multiple number of thongengaging arms employed, it is essential that equal and uniform tension be applied to each to produce stitches of uniform tautness, and this I have successfully accomplished by the following instrumentalities: 13 represents a ratchet wheel fixed on the shaft 8 carrying the spider 9, and 14, I l represents oppositely disposed pawl levers pivotally mounted upon the carrier arm at, with one end of each pawl respectively engaging a slide 17 intermediate said pawl and the inclined or cam surfaces of the ratchet wheel 13, and said members yieldingly urged in such ratchet wheel engaging position by a spring 15, diametri -ally disposed relative to the ratchet wheel and projecting through a bore formed in the carrier arm l, see Fig. 3. The ends of the spring each engage a disk adjustably mounted upon its respective pawl 11 by means of a set-screw 16, whereby the tension of the spring is adjusted. The spring distributes its pressure in uniform opposing directions to the pawls 1%, 14, the

slides 17, 17, transmitting the same in a dian'ietric plane upon the ratchet wheel 13. This produces an equalizing pressure upon the ratchet wheel, and distributes the same uniformly diametric during the rotative action of the spider 9, so that each stitch will be drawn or pulled with the same degree of tautness irrespective of any particular spider arms that may be in commis sion. The construction provides a delicate adjustment, relieving the thong-drawing mechanism of lateral or binding stra ins, which might interfere with the proper release of the spider arm in commission. As an equal number of teeth are comprised in the ratchet corresponding to the number of spider arms, and arranged in opposing diametric series, the free ends of the pawl levers are moved outwardly during the ro-,

tation of the ratchet by their respective slides 17, which intervene between the pawl levers and ratchet, moving the opposite ends of the pawl-levers toward each other, compressing the spring, increasing the tension automatically, until the ratchet rotation has advanced to permit the slides 17, 17 to click over its diametrically disposed cam shoulders. This releases the tension upon the spider arms, allowing it to freely rotate sitlfliciently to release a spider arm engagement with the drawing loop of the thong and the parts disposed in a position for a successive operation in a second cycle of a respective thong drawing mechanism.

It is obvious that the number of ratchet teeth and spider arms may be varied, al-

though four is the most preferable. It is essential however to have the teeth of the ratchet wheel arranged in diametrically disposed pairs so as to be diametrically engaged by a pair of pawls to produce the most efficient and satisfactory results.

To properly guide the thong in its drawing movement through the goods to complete a stitch, and to relieve the needle of such lateral drawing strains, 1 provide the following instrumentalitics. For a clear understanding, it will be assumed, see Fig. 3, that the thong is being advanced upwardly and the needle 0 has completed its operation. A spider arm 10 will engage the thong, and in its rotative movement with the carrier 1 form a loop between the needle and table (Z drawing the loop into a receiver in the form of a circumferential conduit or channel 12, the lower run of the loop will be caught between the spring limbs of the guard 19, see Figs. 3 and 7, disposed at the lower portion of the mouth of the receiver of the upper thong drawing mechanism. The thong stitch-run traverses over the grooved roller 20, the roller reduces the friction, while the guide prevents lateral displacement of the thong in its travel into and out of the channel 1.2. The guard 19 forms an aperture through which the thong is fed, and offers quite an advantage to prevent extracting of the loop suddenly as the needle run of the loop is being moved downwardly for a second stitch. It is the aim of this construction to keep the runs of the loop separated from each other, or from fric tional traversing engagement one over the other; such separation being more difficult to maintain in some thicknesses or widths of thongs than in others. The thong being seasoned or tempered, contains considerable moisture having an adhesive tendency when the two runs engage each other, as such action interferes with the tension or tautness of the stitch, offering increased resistance upon the thong drawing mechanism, and may prematurely release a spider arm before completing the stitch.

The channel surfaces of the receiver are of such form so as to reduce the frictional resistance counter to the direction of traverse of the thong, to a minimum, and also to preserve the temper of the thong. In making reference to'the various runs of the thon I will designate that portion thereof from the needle to the loop as the needle run, and that portion from the goods to the loop as the stitch run. a The needle run of the loop is drawn over the cam or guide block 21, projected from the vertical wall of the conduit or channel 12, see Figs. 2 and 3, which directs the same toward the spring plate 22, projecting across the open side of the channel 12 and at the mouth thereof, and pre rents the thong from being thrown outward.

These instrumentalities cause a slight twist in the thong to properly direct the same in the angular plane it occupies within the guide one run over the other.

23 represents a second guide block disposed in the channel 12, and is provided with an inwardly projecting lip 24, providing a groove along the marginal edge'of the channel adjacent to the tapering serrated jaw 25. The jaw 25 grips the thong adjacent the needle, relieving the needle of any strains transverse to its movement or vertical position within the needle-bar. The teeth of the jaw are directed toward the needles to permit release of the thong in its move ment toward the needle. The thong channel 12 opens to the side instead of circumferem tially as in machines of the art, which in such instances contained two opposing elastic strips secured to the rim of the channel with the joints or their abutting edges centrally over the channel and the arms of the drawing mechanism adapted to pass between such abutting edges. These strips required frequent renewal and possessed no repulsive functions to reactionary motion of the thong. The outer circumference wall of the channel 12 is provided with a series of longitudinal apertures 26 at spaced intervals, forming ducts to receive the thong after it is suddenly released from the thong carrier or drawing mechanism, which, by reason of its forcible reactionary movement is thrown outward, looping the stitch run of the thong serially into-the apertures in an undulating line, serving as traction means to resist such reactionary movement of the thong. This forms quite an advantage over the wellknown forms or thong guides, as it prevents the loop from buckling within the channel or discharged therefrom, and its undulating position aiding materially in producing a satisfactory progressive drawing action. The thong receiving surface of said outer circumferential wall of the receiver may be defined, as undulating, by reason of the intervally spaced apertures and the gterm undulating including any irregular or roughened surface, as distinguished from a continuous, smooth surface as the equivalent of the particular apertured form shown, and thus contemplated within the broad aspect of this invention. The apertured type, however, possesses advantage in that it provides for the escape of air, or causes a suction pressure to deposit the thong in an undulating plane, resisting reactionary movement of the stitch run and positioningit in a position to progressively advance as the needle run is fed out of the receiver.

The opposite, or inner circumferential wall presents an undulating or scalloped surface circuinferentially, and transversely with a saw-tooth or step-like arrangement, providing the angular planes 28 and 29 to receive the runs of the thong; one over the other. This surface may be defined as the thong receiving surface, the thong being drawn over the same it is pulled into the receiver or channel. This relieves the needle 'run of the loop of any rubbing or traversing action of the stitchrun of the loop, as it'is being drawn through the goods, likewise relieving the thong-drawing tension mechanism of such strains as would be incident to the rub bing action of two moist runs of thongs passing each other, or one moving over the other. Such action also tends to disturb the tension mechanism by creating additional resistance against a stitch movement of the thong and finally effects the tautness of the stitch. The corrugations reduce the area of the contacting surface to a minimum, of anti-friction qualification. This also preserves the temper of the thong as the surface does not heat as readily as in drawing the thong over a smooth surface, and further, the corrugations provide pockets for the moisture pressed from the thong, to be reabsorbed in the advance of the thong.

To prevent the thong when released from a drawing action from being discharged transversely, I provide a cover-plate 30 of cir-' cular form, secured to the carrier-arm 4 at one end, and to the arm 31, formed integral with the carrier-arm 4. The cover moves adj acently to the vertical edges of the circumferential walls of the channel 12, completely closing the same. The interior surface of the cover 30 is provided with curved rib 33 projecting centrally into the channel, as a separator for the thong runs. This rib serves to appropriately direct the runs of the thong upon the respective receiving sur faces of the channel in overlapping non-engaging planes. The forward end 34; of the rib is inclined or tapered to guide over the loop of the thong after the thong is released from a finger of the thong drawing carrier. o

I have provided supplemental loop-catch ing means, movable with and 'unitarily mounted upon the cover-plate 30 to engage between the loop after its release by a spider arm to partially resist reactionary movement of the loop. This comprises a swinging catch member 35 pivotally mounted upon the exterior surface of the cover-plate, with its catch-finger 36 projected through an orifice in the cover plate 30, and into the channel 12.

37 represents a spring for normally maintaining the catch fingers 36 within the channel. Thus, as the loop is released from the drawing mechanism, it is engaged by the catch-fingers 36 which resist reactionary movement of the loop, but its tension is not sufficient to cause any drawing action thereto. In the drawings two suchcatch-ele ments are shown, one following the other,

which also aids materially in separating the scribed, a rotative thong drawing member having a plurality of fingers as a unit journaled thereon consecutively to intercept the thong for thong drawing engagement and release and tension devices exerting an equalized vpressure concentrically upon opposite sides of the axis of said fingers and toward said axis for yieldingly resisting rotative influence.

3. In a sewing machine of the class described, a rotative thong drawing member having a plurality of fingers as a unit journaled thereon, said fingers consecutively providing means for thong drawing engagement and release, a ratchet member coaxially and rotative with said finger unit, pawl levers fulcrumed to concentrically engage said ratchet member upon opposite sides of its axis, and a spring interveningly engaging said pawl levers for urging said pawl levers toward said ratchet.

4. In a thong sewing machine, thong drawing mechanism, and a thong receiver into which a thong loop is drawn by said drawing mechanism, said receiver having opposite circumferential surfacesv for the thong loop runs, one thereof roughened to withhold the thong loop from reactionary motion.

5. In a thong sewing machine thong drawing mechanism and a thong receiver into which a thong loop is deposited by said drawing mechanism in completing a stitch, said receiver having opposite circumferential walls providing thong loop receiving surfaces, one thereof inclined in step-like arrangement for separably sustaining the loop runs of the thong.

6. In a thong sewing machine, thong drawing mechanism, and a thong receiver into which a thong loop is drawn and deposited by said drawing mechanism in completing a stitch, said receiver having a thong run receiving surface arranged step-like to separably sustain the loop runs of the thong.

7. In a thong sewing machine, thong drawing devices and a thong receiver into which the thong loop is drawn and deposited by said drawing devices, said receiver having at a roughened circumferential thong run receiving surfaces to withhold reactionary motion thereof and arranged to separably sustain the loop runs of the thong.

8. In a thong sewing machine, a work holding table, a thong receiver above and a second below the table, each providing an open channel having concentric thong run receiving surfaces, rotative thong drawing means for each receiver having a thong engaging element adapted to laterally project into the channel between said surfaces, and a closure element for said channel secured to said thong drawing means in rear of said thong engaging element.

9. In a thong sewing machine, a work holding table, a. thong receiver above and a second below said table, each providing an open channel having opposing roughened thong receiving surfaces relatively concentric, and rotative thong drawing means for each receiver adapted to engage the thong, draw and deposit it into said receiver upon said mirfaces, and having a closure for said channel unitarily rotative with said drawing means.

10. In a thong sewing machine the combination of awork supporting table, a vertically movable intermittentlyj operated needle, adapted to initially draw a thong through the work supported upon the table, drawing mechanisms above and below the table operating in alternating intervals upon the thong subsequent to a needle operationto complete the draw of the thong through the goods, a channeled thong receiver through which said drawing mechanism traverses and deposits the thong loop, and a cover for said channel unitarily movable with said drawing mechanism to seal the channel.

11. In a thong sewing machine the combination of a work supporting table, a vertically movable intermittently operated needle, adapted to initially draw a thong through the work supported upon the table, drawing mechanisms above and below the table operating in alternating intervals upon the thong subsequent to a needle operation to complete the draw of the thong through the goods, a channeled thong receiver. through which said drawing mechanism traverses and deposits the thong loop, a cover for said channel unitarily movable with said drawing mechanism to seal the channel, and a catch mounted upon and movable with said cover adapted to engage in the thong loop to resist reactionary movements thereof upon its release from the drawing mechanism.

12. In a. thong sewing machine, a work supporting table, a thong receiver above and a second below the table, each providing an open channel having thong run receiving surfaces, rotative thong drawing means for each receiver having a thong engaging element adapted to project into and pass 130 ac i) t rough Said fie eir c a e an a clo u open channel for receiving and depositing the thong loop, rotative thong drawing means" for each receiver having a thongengaging supporting table, a thongreceiver above and h f said hanne s tar y mari e w s thong draw ng means havlng a thong run separatorelement projecting into saidchan- I V j a thongsewlng mach ne, a work a second below the table, each providing an open 'channel having thong-run receiving, surfaces, iotativethong drawing meansfon each receiver having a thong engaging e16; -ment adapted to project into 7 and pass,

through said receiver channel, a closure for said channel unitarily moving with said thong drawing means having a thong run separator element projecting 'into said channel, and spring tensioned catch member to successively engage, the thongloop follow-.

ing saidthong drawing engaging element.

Q14. In a thong sewing machinega work supporting table, a thong receiver above and. a second below the table each providingan element adapted to project and pass through said receiver channel, a closure for said upon said are surfaces, and releasing its en- ,7

channel unitarily movable with said draw: ing means, and a thong loop catch'member adapted to PIOJGCt lnto said channel follow+ ing said thong engaging element of said drawing means.-

. 15.'In a thong sewing machine, a work,

supporting table, a. circumferential thong receiver mounted at one side of said table providing anopen channel having opposing thong receiving arc surfacesone thereof 7 flaring outwardly at the channelentrance, and thong drawing means rotating about an j axis coaxial with said receiver provided withfinger means for engaging a thong at the channel entrance and ClG1)OSlt1I1g"tl1Q thong loop runs into the recelver channel lVitnesses supportingtable,a circumferential thong receiver mountedfatoneside of said table, pror di n :op l he in "hav g pp thong receiving arc surfaces-one having a yielding thong guiding clip and the other roughened and flaring outwardly at the channel entrance end, rotative thong drawing meansfor drawing a thong loop into the channel, and similar receiver and drawing devices at theopposite side of said table.

17 In a'thong sewing machine a work supportingtable, a thong receiver above and a'second below the table each providing a a channel having opposite thong receiving surfaces, one thereof toothed and flaring outwardly at the channel entrance and the secondprovided with a clip to claspingly re.-

' ceiv'e and guide a thong run within the channel, and rotative-thong drawing means for each receiver for alternately thong loop into the receiver.

. 18, In a thongsewing machine, awork supporting/table, a thong'receiver above and a second below the table each providing, a channel having opposite thong receiving surfaces, one thereof toothed and flaring outwardly at the channelentrance, and a rigid guideblock adjacent said toothed por- 'tion of said surface and elastic and nonelastic guiding elements projecting crosswise of said channel, and thong drawing means for each'receiver for alternately drawing and depositinga thong loop into the receiver V a In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set land V 7 my 1 EMI-L GNOETI-I.

OL V R B. KAISER, CLARENCE B. FOSTER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for'five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. i a c I depositing the V 

